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Anthropologists Howard Morphy and John Carty, and senior curator Mike Pickering, discuss Indigenous art from the Western Desert and Arnhem Land, and how art from both regions reflects concepts of Country, family and memory.

Margo talks about the new exhibition of Aboriginal artworks sent from Catholic missions in the north and west of Australia to the Vatican that recently opened at the Vatican’s Ethnological Museum and coincided with the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop.

The first Tuesday in November this year sees the running of the 150th Melbourne Cup. Curator Isa Menzies gives an insight into the race that stops the nation: from the glitz and glamour to the seamy underside of horseracing in Australia.

Artist Mandy Martin, historian Libby Robin and zoologist Chris Dickman join Guy Fitzhardinge from Desert Channels Queensland for an insightful discussion that explores partnerships, art and writings about conservation around our desert rivers.

Actor Rhys Muldoon, joined by the Director of the National Museum of Australia, Andrew Sayers, and curator of the Exploration and Endeavour exhibition bring to life the letters from the voyages of discovery to Australia.

In 1974 a committee, to be chaired by Peter Pigott, was set up to inquire into the state of museums in Australia and in particular the development of small country museums. Anne-Marie will talk about her research into the Pigott committee records.

Museums and kindred institutions that are serious about reflecting human life are often compelled to confront the dark side of human experience we might prefer not to face. But if we are to be truthful, we must do so.

Discussion amongst the panellists and questions from the audience. Museum curators and researchers with experience representing traumatic experiences in museums share their expertise.

The Canning Stock Route, combined with the concept of Walyja (family), acts as a prism through which it is possible to trace both the human and the subsequent artistic movements that characterised the far Western Desert region in the 20th century.

Roslyn Russell takes us on a journey through the history of Barbados, from its first parliament in 1639, through the dark days of slavery to the present days. Learn why, with its rich history and culture, Barbados is certainly ‘more than a beach’.